Apparatus and mehthod for neutralizing toxic waste water and destroying organic compounds

ABSTRACT

A hollow cylindrical tube runs the length of a photo-reactor. The tube is positioned below the photo-reactor or the photo-reactor sits atop the device. The cylindrical tube has a slotted opening on top. The photo-reactor fits into the slotted opening and is supported by the slotted opening. There is added reinforcement through the use of support braces on either side of the slotted opening along the cylindrical tube. These support braces are L-shaped and add strength and support to the upright plates sitting in the slotted opening. The support braces are aid in the attachment of the cylindrical tubing and the photo-reactor plates. The photo-reactor plates contain UV light once UV light has entered. Other parts of the present invention can be manufactured to contain UV light once UV light has entered, as well.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Priority is hereby claimed to Utility patent application Ser. No.09/682,509 filed on Sep. 11, 2001, which claims priority to ProvisionalPatent Application 60/231,702 filed on Sep. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to neutralizing toxic waste water,and more particularly, to effectively containing ultraviolet lightwithin a photo-reactor plate to completely destroy any organic compoundin the waste water.

[0003] Many companies and industries produce or use chemicals that aredetrimental to the environment if released into the water systems or airwithout proper treatment. In the United States, we have series ofenvironmental restrictions that require businesses to catalogue, diffuseand treat the volatile organic compound laden waste water before it isreleased into the environment, and is such restrictions are regulated bythe Environmental Protection Agency. The use of photo-catalysis involatile organic compound laden waste water management can alter thewaste and eradicate it before the water reintroduction to theenvironment.

[0004] It is important to realize that sewage water can be cleaned in avariety of fashions, and the present invention is unconcerned withtreating sewage water. Once sewage water has been treated, however,there is a need to remove harmful organic compounds and odors that stillremain even after the sewage water has been effectively treated. Whensewage water has been effectively treated, it is termed “waste water.”There is no effective apparatus or method to eradicate organic compoundsand odors from treated sewage waste water and volatile organic compoundladen waste water.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,437 issued to Young on Jul. 20, 1999, showsan External shutoff valve for fire hydrants. Young's invention is unlikethe present invention because it is an emergency shut off valve methodfor fire hydrants that have been activated by accident, does not providea means for treating or transporting volatile organic compound ladenwaste water, and does not provide for photo reaction plates or anyphotocatalysis means.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,703 issued to Kopp on Apr. 1, 1997, shows aplastic valve with inlet conduit extension. Kopp's invention is unlikethe present invention because it has no means of attachment to aphoto-reactor cell, it is not intended to expedite a volatile organiccompound laden waste water purification system, and it has no describedmeans for separating toxic components from benign components in volatileorganic compound laden waste water.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,667,034 issued to Hatton, Jr. on Apr. 24, 1928,shows a sealing valve for gas lines. Hatton's invention is unlike thepresent invention because it has no means for attaching to aphoto-reactor cell, and it is not intended for use in volatile organiccompound laden waste water treatment.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 924,041 issued to Corlew on Jun. 8, 1909, shows ahose hydrant Corlew's invention is unlike the present invention because,it would not function for use in the photo-catalysis process, it doesnot have a means for treating volatile organic compound laden wastewater to separate the toxic parts from the benign parts, and has atapered end and no removable cap.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,115 issued to Orr, Jr. et al. on Jun. 13,1978 describes tubing members, but is not concerned with maintainingultraviolet light within a photo-reactor plate to destroy volatileorganic compounds in waste water.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,444 issued to Zimek on Mar. 14, 1995describes an apparatus for applying a corpuscular radiation to reactantsinitiating or perfecting chemical reactions. Unlike the presentinvention, Zimek's device is not concerned with maintaining ultravioletlight within a photo-reactor plate to destroy volatile organic compoundsin waste water.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,423 issued to Crosbie on Dec. 26, 2000describes interaction with reactants in an ozoniozer. Again, unlike thepresent invention, Crosbie's device is not concerned with maintainingultraviolet light within a photo-reactor plate to destroy volatileorganic compounds in waste water.

[0012] Therefore a need has been established for a method and apparatusfor volatile organic compound laden waste water treatment viaphotocatalysis such that ultraviolet light is employed to destroyvolatile organic compounds.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0013] A large problem throughout industrialization has been wastemanagement. Heavy reliance throughout the years on pesticides andchemicals in agriculture and many other industries have causedindustries and communities throughout the country to struggle with thetreatment of volatile organic compound laden waste water. Processingvolatile organic compound laden waste water in an environmentally soundand economical manner is of concern to many organizations.Photo-catalysis is a well known scientific process with a promisingapplication in volatile organic compound laden waste water management.Photo-catalysis involves bombarding a photo-reactive compound withultraviolet light. The compound becomes highly reactive; solar energy isconverted into chemical energy through the transformation of thephoto-reactive compound into reactive radicals. The highly reactiveradicals attack oxidizable water pollutants by breaking their molecularbonds. Non toxic final products like water, carbon dioxide and weakacids are the end result.

[0014] A method for utilizing photo-catalysis in volatile organiccompound laden waste water management is through the use of titaniumdioxide as a photo-catalyst. Titanium dioxide is mixed in with thevolatile organic compound laden waste water. This solution is processedthrough a series of flat plate photo-reactors. For optimum use of thephoto-reactors, the solution should be evenly distributed over the flatplates. This would maximize the amount of solution in contact with theflat plate photo-reactors. To distribute the incoming solution from apiped source to the rectangular photo-reactors, an intermediary deviceis required. In the present invention, an intake flow of volatileorganic compound laden waste water is channeled to photo-reactor plates,and the photo-reactor plates are made of a special compound to allowultraviolet light to enter the photo-reactor plates, but not leave.

[0015] Definitions:

[0016] Photo-catalysis—to increase the rate of a chemical reactioninduced by material unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction withultra violet light as the energy source for the reaction

[0017] photo-catalyst—an agent which provokes or speeds up a reactionwith ultra violet light as the energy source to activate the agent

[0018] photo-reactor—a device which creates a photochemical reaction

[0019] polymerizable—a chemical reaction in which two or more moleculescombine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units

[0020] The present invention has a hollow cylindrical tube. Thecylindrical tube runs the length of a photo-reactor. The tube ispositioned below the photo-reactor or the photo-reactor sits atop thedevice. The cylindrical tube has a slotted opening on top. Thephoto-reactor fits into the slotted opening and is supported by theslotted opening. There is added reinforcement through the use of supportbraces on either side of the slotted opening along the cylindrical tube.These L-shaped braces add strength and support to the upright platessitting in the slotted opening. The braces aid in the attachment of thecylindrical tubing and the photo-reactor plates.

[0021] Since fluids flow through the cylindrical tubing and thephoto-reactor plates, a water tight seal is necessary between the tubingand the plates. A polymerizable cement and solvent is used in theslotted opening of the cylindrical tubing. This helps to create a watertight seal between the cylindrical tubing and the photo-reactor plates.The braces attached to the cylindrical tubing and the photo-reactorplates also help in creating a seal. With a water tight connection,fluid can flow through the tubing without contaminating the surroundingarea.

[0022] Volatile organic compound laden waste water enters thecylindrical tubing from a piped source. One end of the cylindrical tubeconnects to this piped intake source. The volatile organic compoundladen waste water flows through the cylindrical tube and fills thephoto-reactor plates. The other end of the cylindrical tube acts as ablind end when plugged or can be hooked up in series with other tubing.A manifold at the top of the photo-reactor plates redistributes theprocessed water.

[0023] Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to providea system to optimize removal of toxins and volatile compounds fromvolatile organic compound laden waste water, and to do so via fluid flowto photo-reactor plates. Ultraviolet light is trapped in thephoto-reactor plates so that toxins and volatile compounds can beeradicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a cut away side view of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the manifold.

[0026]FIG. 3 shows a cut away section of the photo-reflector plateinserted into the manifold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Photo-catalysis is a well known process which occurs when anaqueous solution containing a hydrocarbon compound and a photo-catalystagent such as titanium dioxide is exposed to ultraviolet rays. When theultraviolet rays strike the titanium dioxide hydroxyl radicals areproduced. The hydroxyl radicals interact with the hydrocarbons toproduce carbon dioxide, water, and hydrochloric acid. Therefore, thephoto-catalyst can break down volatile organic compound laden wastewater into, benign, or recyclable compounds. In the present invention,chemical laden waste water is neutralized by use of a photo-reactorplate (50) and a photo-catalyst (not shown), and most importantly, thephoto-reactor plate (50) allows ultraviolet light within it, but thentraps the ultraviolet light so that the ultraviolet light is harnessedto destroy undesirable organic compounds.

[0028] The present invention is a device to not only direct the intakeflow of volatile chemical laden waste water to a photo-reactor plate(50), but moreover, the present invention has a photo-reactor plate (50)that traps ultraviolet light. The present invention has, in itspreferred embodiment, a cylindrical tube manifold (10) which is hollow.Along the apex of the tube is a slotted opening (30). A photo-reactiveplate (50) sits in this slotted opening (30). Along the right side ofthe slotted opening (30) are supporting braces (35). The supportingbraces are L-shaped. In the present invention, volatile chemical ladenwaste water is neutralized by use of the photo-reactor plate (50) andthe photo-catalyst. The volatile chemical laden waste water is channeledinto the photo-reactor plate (50) where the photo-catalyst andultraviolet waves break down the volatile organic compound laden wastewater. It is important to recognize that if the photo-reactor plate (50)allows ultraviolet light to escape, or literally pass through it, thepresent invention will not function properly, and will not effectivelyeradicate volatile chemical laden waste water. Thus, the photo-reactorplate (50) must only allow ultraviolet light within it, but not permitthe ultraviolet light to leave. NOTE SOP AND PHOTO-REACTOR PLATE ARE THESAME

[0029]FIG. 1 shows a cut away side view of a possible embodiment of thepresent invention. The manifold (10) is manufactured of an Acrylic SOPof 16 wt, which is a double skinned acrylic sheet that is approximately1200 mm wide. The acrylic sheets assist in maintaining even flowdistribution through the channels (55) as shown. The photo-reactor plate(50) of the present invention is also made of an Acrylic SOP of 16 wt,which is a double skinned acrylic sheet that is approximately 1200 mmwide. Also the skin of the acrylic sheeting is so thin that the majorityof UV radiation passes through the skin, and reacts with the titaniumdioxide in the solution in the manifold (10) and photo-reactor plate(50), but the UV radiation cannot leave the manifold (10) and/or thephoto-reactor plate (50). A 30 weight cement is used to seal the sheetto the manifold. At the end of the manifold (10) is a hose clamp (20)and flexible tubing (40).

[0030] The manifold (10) attaches to both ends of the acrylic sheet. Atthe opposite end of the manifold (10) from the flexible tubing (40) canbe more flexible tubing or a cap (45) depending on desired use. If theuse of more than one of the present invention is desired flexible tubing(40) will be attached to both ends and connected with one another. Cap(45) will only be used at the end of the last of the present inventionsto be use regardless of the number used.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the manifold and shows cap (45). Cap(45) has a notch (47) in it. Notch (47) lines up directly with slottedopening (30) and is for the photo-reflector plate (50) to sit in whencap (45) is inserted into manifold (10).

[0032]FIG. 3 displays the photo-reactor plate (50) seated in the slottedopening (30) in manifold (10). Support braces (35) are also shownattached to the manifold (10) and the photo-reactor plate (50). At thetop of photo-reactor plate (50) is a closer view of the channels (55).

[0033]FIG. 4 shows the present invention and the steps for assemblingsuch. The manifold (10) is shown at an approximate length of 54″. Thereis a cut away of each end of the manifold member of approximately 3″.There is a cap (45) shown that can attach to one end of the presentinvention. Cap (45) is made of a polyurethane material and is theninserted in the interior of the manifold, and in this embodiment is 6″long. Around the center of the tubing is a groove of approximately 17mm. There is a cement support at 3 and 47 inches to secure the manifold.The SOP is then inserted in one end of the pipe fashioned as a slotopening (30). This slot opening (30) acts as a flow header into themanifold (10). The end with the SOP is then cemented and welded.

[0034] The first side (36) of a supporting brace (35) is attached to themanifold (10). The second side (37) of a supporting brace (35) rests onthe wall of the photo-reactor plate (50) once the plate (50) is placedin the slot opening (30) and is then welded in place. This procedure ismirrored on both sides of the photo-reactor plate (50). A suitablesolvent and polymerized cement provide additional strength at this jointand a water tight seal between the surfaces. The supporting braces (35)are attached to the exterior of the manifold (10) so as to support andprevent damage to the photoreactive plate (50). The photo-reactor plate(50) is disposed above the manifold (10), and the support stresses anddemands are different than a typical cylinder upon a cylinder. Inaddition, in the present invention, part of the photo-reactor plate (50)fits within a slotted opening (30) atop the manifold (10) there is agenerally rectangular slotted opening (30) to receive the photo-reactorplate (50) in the manifold (10). The fitting of the photo reactor plate(50) in the slotted opening (30) adds to stability of the photo-reactiveplate (50).

[0035] Volatile organic compound laden waste water from a piped insource enters the first end of the manifold (10). The first end of themanifold (10) fits the end of the piped source through standard pipingconnectors. The first end of the manifold (10) acts as a conduit for thevolatile organic compound laden waste water. The volatile organiccompound laden waste water can fill the photo-reactor plates (50). Thefirst end of the manifold (10) acts as the intake point for volatileorganic compound laden waste water to the system. The second end of themanifold (10) can be plugged with cap (45) or joined in a series withflexible tubing (40).

[0036] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the sole embodiment described above, but should be interpreted incover all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

1. An apparatus for use for volatile organic compound laden waste watermanagement and destroying organic compounds, comprising: a main hollowbody, having a first and second end; a photo-reactor plate that traps UVlight, placed in communication with said first end; a series of bracingmembers attached to the exterior of said main hollow body so as tosupport and prevent damage to said photo-reactor plate; a slottedopening in fixed communication with said first end to receive saidphoto-reactor plate; and a series of tubing communicating with saidsecond end of said main body.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidphoto-reactor plate is made of Acrylic SOP of 16 wt, which is a doubleskinned acrylic sheet that is approximately 1200 mm wide.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said series of tubing is made of AcrylicSOP of 16 wt, which is a double skinned acrylic sheet that isapproximately 1200 mm wide
 4. An apparatus for use with volatile organiccompound laden waste water management, comprising: a main hollow body,having a first end and a second end, and configured to communicate withvolatile organic compound laden waste water; a photo-reactor plate thattraps UV light, placed in communication with said first end, a series ofbracing members attached to the exterior of said main hollow body, saidseries of bracing members having curved bottoms and vertical upperportions; a photo-catalyst, introduced into said volatile organiccompound laden waste water, configured to communicate with saidphoto-reactor plate; a slotted opening in fixed communication with saidfirst end; and a series of tubing communicating with said second end ofsaid main body.
 5. A method of neutralizing volatile organic compoundladen waste water and destroying organic compounds, comprising: runningvolatile organic compound laden waste water into a photo-reactor plate;infusing the volatile organic compound laden waste water with aphoto-catalyst; penetrating the photo-reactor plate with ultravioletlight; and preventing the ultraviolet light from escaping thephoto-reactor plate.